Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sun 5 April 2026 19:37, UK

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Craig Pawson made several blunders as West Ham United and Leeds United clashed in an FA Cup quarter-final tie at the London Stadium.

Ao Tanaka got the ball rolling for Daniel Farke’s side, firing an effort past Alphonse Areola in the 26th minute, before both sets of supporters began whistling and booing in the referee’s direction.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from the spot following a careless challenge from Max Kilman, only for Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi to score late on to send the game to extra time.

Penalties were needed to separate the two Premier League sides, with Pascal Struijk netting the decisive spot-kick to send Leeds through to the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium.

West Ham’s clash with Leeds was full of passion and fight, but possibly a little too much, as multiple players sustained injuries, and some may blame the officials for that on Sunday, 5 April.

Anton Stach scythed down, but Craig Pawson ignores penalty claim

With Anton Stach bearing down on goal, Kilman threw himself at the midfielder inside the penalty area, only to get all of the man and none of the ball.

The challenge even forced the German international off, unable to continue after the reckless challenge, but VAR described the incident as a “natural coming together”. Absolute nonsense.

No consistency as Lukas Nmecha punished moments later

Just two minutes after Stach was replaced, Lukas Nmecha went into Pawson’s notebook for a late sliding challenge on Axel Disasi, but barely even made contact with the West Ham defender.

It was half the challenge that Kilman, who is linked with a West Ham exit, had made moments earlier, following through late after the ball had gone, but the referee felt that this one deserved punishment.

A lack of consistency has infuriated supporters throughout the 2025-26 campaign, especially when VAR sticks its nose in, and this was yet another awful decision from the officials.

Ethan Ampadu was fortunate not to see red

In the 47th minute, just moments into the second half, Ethan Ampadu saw his name taken for a cynical challenge on Adama Traore, who was threatening to break away.

Replays showed that the Welshman’s foul was very high on his opposition’s leg, but even after a VAR review, Leeds’ captain was allowed to stay on the pitch, rather controversially.